This week’s blog comes to you from Cloquet, Minnesota where
I’m caring for Mom while she recovers from a recent fall, and Rockport, Texas
where Dick is playing at bachelorhood.
Minnesota:
Sunday, February 24 was a day of celebration and a family
affair. My brother Ron and his wife Debby were here for the weekend, from Roseau,
located in the NW corner of Minnesota, where he practices medicine. After church we had a family dinner for an
early celebration of Mom’s 92nd birthday (Friday, March 1). I fixed
a wonderful pot roast with all the trimmings, and we had a Dairy Queen cake for
dessert. My younger brother Rich, his wife Karen and my niece MacKenzie were
there too, to celebrate.
We woke Monday to 16 degrees. By noon the temps had reached
a balmy 39 degrees with bright sunshine. Senior Friend came to spend time with
Mom at 10 a.m., so I disappeared to WalMart for a while. It’s easier for them to
retain consistency with Mom when I’m not there. They come in 3 days per week, for a couple of
hours each time, to keep Mom company, do her laundry, clean house, and anything
else that needs doing.
Tuesday was another special day for Mom. Her brothers and
sisters (and anyone else available) get together in Duluth at the Red Lobster
for lunch every couple of months, to celebrate any birthdays. This lunch was
for her – and for her two youngest brothers who had birthdays recently, as
well. What a fun time! There were 9 of us there including 4 of her siblings,
but sometimes as many as 25 have attended. That afternoon Mom and I started a jigsaw
puzzle, Noah’s Gathering.
Wednesday and Thursday were pretty quiet on the home front.
Temperatures rose to the high 30s by noon, but dipped into the teens at night.
As on Monday and Tuesday, MacKenzie joined us after school for a few hours on
Wednesday. Thursday afternoon I took Mom to Duluth for a visit with her
cardiologist as a follow-up to her heart attack of a few years ago. All her vitals
are excellent, and she walked unassisted for 600 steps. Could've gone longer
but she called a halt saying that it was a waste of time. Ornery ol'
Swede...ha! When we got home I made chocolate chip cookies. She ate 6 of them,
the last 2 when she thought I wasn't looking. Good grief! Just like
a little kid! Her injury is healing so well. The scar continues to fade. Hard
to believe it happened just 3 weeks ago. Of course she doesn't remember what
happened, and every time she looks in the mirror it's a new experience for her.
Friday was Mom’s 92nd
birthday. I made caramel pecan rolls for breakfast – YUMMY -- and beef
vegetable soup later in the day. I took Mom and MacKenzie to Applebee's for
dinner, to celebrate Mom. She was duly embarrassed by the happy birthday song
sung to her but did enjoy her complimentary hot fudge sundae! MacKenzie and her
Chihuahua Dolce spent the night.
Saturday dawned with the thermometer
reading 0 degrees. Brrrr!!!! I made my
special French toast for breakfast, and served sausage and citrus salad alongside.
YUMMY! By noon it was 32 degrees and
sunny—actually quite lovely. We spent the afternoon playing Aggravation, giving
and receiving foot and hand massages. What a nice way to spend the afternoon
with two of my favorite gals. MacKenzie
and Dolce again spent the night. A perfect evening to end a perfect week.
Texas:
Dick spent another “lonely” week in
Texas. He says he’ll be glad when I get back to him.
Temps are a little different in Texas.
Sunday dawned sunny and 55 degrees, with temps reaching the mid-60s by noon. He
went to the 2nd service at Rockport First Baptist Church, followed
by lunch at WhataBurger (Texas’ claim to hamburger fame!). Our good friends and
RV neighbors Marvin and Shirley shared a pasta dinner with him that night. I don’t think he’s going hungry!
By Tuesday the winds had died down, so
Dick rode the motorcycle to old town Rockport's Heritage District to photograph the historic homes
and business in the area.
With time drawing short for spending time
with Marvin and Shirley (they leave Friday), he spent the afternoon outside
with them, enjoying their friendship. That evening Dick attended a dinner meeting
at the clubhouse regarding MASA (Medical Air Services Association), a thirty-five year old
established international organization that is dedicated to providing its
members with lifesaving, emergency assistance while they’re at home, on the
job, or traveling the world. Here’s a link to their website: www.masaassist.com/
Dick
has spent a few days reviewing our taxes, as tax day looms. Wednesday was no
different. After walking along Fulton Beach Road, he spent the afternoon
outside enjoying the weather, reading and meeting new RV neighbors. That night
he attended the weekly clubhouse dinner; this week it was Japanese. He’s being
fed!
Thursday came with cool temperatures (48 degrees in the
morning, warming just to 60 degrees by 4 p.m.). He walked along Fulton Beach Road for about an
hour, our usual walk. That evening he took Marvin and Shirley out to Panjo’s for pizza, as a farewell dinner. They’re all
packed and ready to head out early Friday morning. Shirley said that Marvin
will need to wake her up early if he wants to be on the road by 7:30 (she’s
enjoyed sleeping in!).
By 7:15 Friday morning, Dick heard Marvin’s big Freightliner
truck getting ready to pull out. They pull a 40’ King of the Road 5th
wheel, so Dick says it’s quite a “train!” We’ll really miss them, as they’ve
become very good friends, but we plan to stop at Carterville, IL to see them in
April, on our return trip to Minnesota. The day warmed to 75 degrees, just
perfect for sitting outside and reading.
Saturday, Dick woke to 48 degrees outside; he had run out of
propane during the night so the trailer was quite chilly. He spent a good
portion of the day working on our trip north. We plan to leave Rockport on April 8, heading north to arrive in Minnesota the first part of May. (Can hardly
believe we will have been gone from Tacoma for a year by then!)
I’ll be heading back to Texas on Wednesday this week, to
warmer weather. Snow is supposed to arrive tomorrow, with accumulations up to 4”
by the time it subsides on Tuesday. Keep your fingers crossed: Wednesday is
supposed to be sunny, the day I fly out!
Hope this finds you well. We’re lovin’ this nomad life!
Hugs,
Dick and Gail
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